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I think we've already agreed that banning smoking in enclosed government funded places is acceptable to ensure their use and enjoyment by all people, however what else do you mean by public? If I'm sitting out in the open on a beach or a park and light up a smoke, then you come and sit 15 feet downwind and start wretching and coughing because you caught a whiff of my cigarette, am I expected to butt out to satisfy you?
Suppose I'm barbequing in a park or on a beach (charcoal smoke is at least as cancerous as cigarette smoke) and you object, should I pour water over my coals and go to McDonalds instead?
And, there is also the separate issue of private "public" spaces. If the owner permits smoking on his property, it is up to non-smokers to decide if they wish to endure second hand smoke or not, by staying or leaving
So I guess my answer is no, smokers would not and should not butt out in public to appease the sensitive anti-smokers.
By the way, for the record, I don't smoke, but I'll defend anyone's right to smoke in any non-enclosed public place.
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